Community Calendar

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the Washington State Historical Society invites you to explore the history of building the State History Museum. 30 Years and Counting: The Making of the Washington State History Museum is a special exhibition that uncovers the vision, effort, and community spirit that brought this iconic Tacoma landmark to life.

Discover the bold ideas and architectural ingenuity that shaped the museum’s distinctive look. From early sketches to final blueprints, see how the building’s design reflects both innovation and reverence for Washington’s past. Go behind the scenes of the museum’s construction. Through photographs and artifacts from the building process, witness how a dream took shape—brick by brick, beam by beam.

Staff Picks: 30 Objects for 30 Years

In a special feature area, museum staff share their favorite objects from the collection—each one a personal reflection on the power of history to inspire, surprise, and connect us.

This is a permanent exhibition. Since time immemorial, Tribal nations have existed in this place we call Washington. This Is Native Land invites visitors to understand Washington State through the lived experiences and voices of its Native people.

Tribal nations are sovereign nations. Today, Native history, culture, and community thrive in our state. Through everyday acts of sovereignty – big and small – Indigenous peoples demonstrate they are still here, they have persevered, and they will always be here.

This Is Native Land is guided by three teachings:
We are of the land and waters
With knowledge comes responsibility
Sovereignty protects people, lands, and waters

These teachings are shared through multimedia, artwork, and interactive objects designed for guest engagement. They represent a contemporary continuation of Tribal stories and traditions.

Over 100 Native contributors from more than 60 Tribes shaped the exhibition’s stories and content. We thank the Native Advisory Committee and all community participants for their contributions.

LeMay – America’s Car Museum proudly presents The Birth of the American Supercar, a groundbreaking exhibition guest curated by renowned automotive innovator Steve Saleen. This one-of-a-kind display invites guests on an exhilarating journey through the evolution of American supercars. From early speed pioneers to cutting-edge modern marvels, visitors will experience a stunning lineup of vehicles that have redefined engineering, speed, and style, built by a wide range of American automotive manufacturers like Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Saleen himself, and even some more obscure ones like Vector, Cunningham, and Hennessey. From roaring V8s to sleek carbon-fiber bodies, discover how American automakers pushed boundaries, challenged European rivals, and redefined what a supercar could be. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see some of the most thrilling and historically significant American-made performance vehicles ever built—all under one roof.

“Every piece I create, from the humblest tumbler to the most baroque sculpture, makes a statement about isolation, striving, access, perseverance, boundary pushing, and the pursuit of excellence. I believe my presence in the field as a working-class Black man, striving and excelling in a field occupied chiefly by society’s most privileged (whitest), is a powerful artistic and political gesture. “—Jason McDonald

Glass vessels evocative of the highly ornamented Baroque style, black silhouettes embedded in scenes on ancient pottery vessels, and medallion reliefs of Black figures all abide in the deliberate, expansive practice of Jason McDonald. McDonald’s visual language is deeply rooted in research of ancient histories, traditional techniques, and race. Here, contemporary ideas blend and transform tradition with caring attention to detail, precision in thought, and beauty. Motivated by glass—with its magical properties, myriads of endless possibilities and potential—McDonald’s devotion lies in the desire to refine the craft, making his hands more familiar and knowledgeable with each replication. Through his repetition and re-imagination of these historical forms, the objects transform into sculptures and vessels of time, carrying with them the essence of centuries-old traditions, as well as McDonald’s commitment and insertion of the representation and notions of Black identity. With a commitment to the craft that transcends his own work, McDonald diligently carves out space for those who will follow him through mentoring and the creation of his own glass studio, which he has named Ideal Conditions.

Organized by Tacoma Art Museum and curated by Victoria Miles.

Each week brings new adventures during the Summer Splash! Festival of Fun! Our event calendar is filled with exciting activities and special guests that spark creativity, curiosity, and wonder. Enjoy roller-skating parrots, circus performers, inspiring artists, border collie athletes, sand carvers, a 25-foot rock wall, and so much more!

Presented by WSECU

MOPOP is now serving the Brunch Bundle, a weekend experience that includes museum admission and brunch for two for just $100. Reserve your spot in advance and indulge in a morning of specialty entrées and endless discovery. Come hungry for eggs, icons, and everything in between.

The Brunch Bundle Menu

Each bundle includes coffee or juice, plus one brunch entrée per guest from a curated menu:

- Eggs Your Way: two eggs, toast, choice of bacon or sausage, hashbrowns or side salad

- Black Garlic Caesar: romaine, black garlic dressing, croutons, parmesan crisp

- Seasonal Fruit Dutch Baby: local seasonal fruit compote, whipped cream, maple syrup

Please note: alcohol and gratuity not included. Advance online purchase is required.
Party of three? No problem. Add additional guests (up to four total) for $50 each.

Childhood's End Gallery presents Form a Line, a group exhibition of new work by four distinct Pacific Northwest artists. Finding common ground in bold representation of the natural world, Kathy Anderson, Colleen Cotey, Sara Gettys, and Julia Janeway each bring a practiced sensitivity to their chosen mediums. Through processes that remove material or add it, these four artists present new works rooted in an intimate knowledge of place and material.

World Class Blues & Local Brews
The annual Poverty Bay Blues & Brews Festival, hosted by the Rotary Club of Des Moines & Normandy Park, was named the Best Community Blues Festival by the Washington State Blues Society.

We bring top blues acts from around the Pacific Northwest and across the nation to the Des Moines Beach Park every August. The setting on the shores of Puget Sound is a coveted venue among local and national blues artists.

To quench your thirst during the show, grab a beer from one of the 20 or so craft breweries at the event. Or sip on cider, wine or a craft cocktail. We’ll have food trucks on site, too!

100% of the net proceeds fund projects and causes powered by Rotary. Most of the money raised supports Highline Music4Life, which provides musical instruments to kids in need.

Blues Artists Lineup

Kick off the day with the CD Woodbury Band, bringing a gritty, soulful blend of blues, roots, and rock to the waterfront stage.
11:30AM to 1:00PM

Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys turn up the energy with a lively mix of blues, boogie, and feel-good rhythm that’s built for a summer crowd.
1:30PM to 3:00PM

Too Slim and the Taildraggers brings powerhouse guitar work and hard-driving blues that will keep the festival rolling all afternoon long.
3:30PM to 5:00PM

Highway 99 All Stars
Close out the night with the Highway 99 All Stars, bringing a powerhouse lineup of Northwest blues talent and deeply rooted rhythm and blues to the stage.
5:30PM to 7:00PM

Experience the Instrument Petting Zoo with SOGO (Student Orchestra of Greater Olympia). "Zookeepers" are on hand to demonstrate and help you learn how to play the instruments.

Sponsored by The National Endowment for the Arts

August 25th - 30th, the Methow Valley Jazz Festival celebrates live music in the mountains with seven opportunities to experience outstanding jazz in five distinctive venues across the beautiful Methow Valley. Featuring acclaimed artists including the Greta Matassa Quintet, Jovino Santos Neto, Entremundos, the Will Lone Quartet with Jenny Xu and Ben Feldman, Lynette Westendorf, Marcus Duke and Nancy Zahn, the festival offers something for every music lover—from intimate performances and community gatherings to a gala concert, jazz brunch, and educational workshops. Most events are free, making it easy to discover exceptional artists while exploring one of Washington's most breathtaking mountain destinations.